Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 16: Israel in Egypt

Good morning everyone!

This morning I read Genesis 46-47.

I actually don't have a lot to say about these chapters. They're pretty straightforward.

Jacob, now called Israel, moves to Egypt with all of his family where Joseph sets them up on the land Pharaoh gives them.

Israel blesses Pharaoh.

The Egyptians give all their money, and then all their land, and then make themselves slaves to Pharaoh in exchange for grain.

Israel is 130 years old, and he lives in Egypt for 17 more years.

Upon his deathbed, he calls for Joseph and makes him promise to bury him in the land of his fathers, and not in Egypt.

Joseph promises.

Now, this is the second time I have read about someone swearing something this way.

Genesis 47:29-30 - When the time for Israel to die drew near, he called his son Joseph and said to him, "Please, if I have found favor in your sight, place now your hand under my thigh and deal with me in kindness and faithfulness. Please do not bury me in Egypt, but when I lie down with my fathers, you shall carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burial place." And he said, "I will do as you have said."

This happened before with Abraham and the servant he sent to find a wife for Isaac.

And now that I realize it's an Old Testament pattern, I'm curious about it.

Why did they place a hand under the thigh?

I'm going to research it. Wait just a moment...

Well, according to most sources, "under the thigh" is a euphemism for swearing on the genitals. Thus, that's where we get the word testify.

One source did mention that in Jewish tradition, placing ones hand literally under the thigh (close but not touching the genitals) was a sign of submission to authority, and thus an agreeable act for an oath.

Unfortunately, I don't know a lot about Jewish tradition. (I have to find some books to read about this.) So, I can't say for sure exactly what is accurate and what isn't. Just because a lot of sources say one thing doesn't make it true. In fact, a lie can circulate as easily, if not more so, as the truth, especially where God's Word is concerned.

I'll keep looking, and if I find the answer, I'll link back to this post and let you know what I've found.

If you know the answer, please let us know (with sources).

Hope you enjoyed my ramblings today.

Join me tomorrow when I'll be reading the final chapters in the book of Genesis, chapters 48-50.